This is why Ryu is my favorite character in the manga. So manly. He had to wait so long for her to look his way. I knew my wife for a couple of years and it took long enough to break into the friend zone. I almost gave up on her ever falling for me but I kissed her one day and she kissed me back, then pulled away and said she just wanted to be friends. I knew then I had a chance and waited patiently for another year before she said she wanted to date. Patience is hard. The first time I read this chapter I said "Yes!!" and did the fist pump. This manga is so good and so frustrating with the slow burn payoff.